The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ (COG) Institute for Regional Excellence (IRE) now has a new class of alumni. A cohort of 28 managers and executives from 13 local governments and agencies was recognized on October 20 at a graduation ceremony held at COG’s headquarters. This was the 18th cohort to complete the program since its creation in 2002.
The Institute for Regional Excellence, a partnership between COG and The George Washington University’s (GWU) Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, brings together managers, executives, and other leaders within the region’s local governments to further develop leadership and management skills while building a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of the region. Graduates from the program received certification in project management from GWU.
The in-person ceremony was the first time that many participants had met face-to-face, with the year-long program held virtually in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on the program, many speakers discussed the personal and professional challenges created by the pandemic, and the new perspective gained through participation in the program.
“A pandemic is no respecter of county lines, no respecter of city boundaries, of states, nations, regions, or any kind of artificial boundaries. It forces us to work together--there is no other way to address those challenges,” shared Jim Robinson, Executive Director for GWU’s Center for Excellence in Public Leadership.
The ceremony also included a presentation of the Inspiring Leader Award, this year presented by the cohort to Tanisha Briley, City Manager for the City of Gaithersburg, for her contributions and support to the program.
“When you invest in yourself to become better leaders, it is all to make your communities better so there are more little girls like me, little boys like me, who have the environment to thrive and be able to stand here before you today,” Briley said in her acceptance remarks.
As the IRE Class of 2022 celebrated its completion of the program, a new class was already gearing up for their own professional development endeavors. IRE’s 2023 cohort convened for the first time earlier in the day at COG.